the latex summit report

latex allergy: a meeting of minds

held at Congress House, London WC1 on Monday, 20 May 2002

rapporteur: Jane Paul

The Latex Summit was organised by the National Association of Theatre Nurses and the Latex Allergy Support Group, and was supported by SSL International (Regent Medical), Ansell Medical, BM Polyco and Medisavers.

The Summit brought together a wide range of interest groups and others involved in the field of latex allergy to discuss the issues involved in latex exposure and its effects.

The aim of the Summit was to bring together all parties who have a role in preventing and managing latex allergy to address these issues and develop a collaborative approach to preventing and managing latex allergy.

The Summit took the form of formal presentations from different organisations, experts and stakeholders followed by open debate around key discussion points including relevant standards and proposals for future joint work, practical action and awareness-raising.

Those present included representatives of government agencies, regulators and enforcing authorities, manufacturers, health professionals, representatives of groups of patients and of latex-sensitive people, occupational health and safety practitioners, lawyers, trade unions, employers, self-help groups and other voluntary sector organisations. A full list of participants can be found at the end of this report.

• Section one : a background note
• Section two : introduction and welcome
• Section three : the sensitised individual's perspective
• Section four : managing latex allergy in healthcare
• Section five : the Medical Devices Agency
• Section six : reducing occupational asthma: HSE's strategy
• Section seven : issues for healthcare workers
• Section eight : litigation costs
• Section nine : latex allergies
• Section ten : quality standard Malaysian gloves
• Section eleven : the National Patient Safety Agency
• Section twelve : proposal for a National Education Programme
• Section thirteen : discussion points
• Section fifteen : summary and conclusions
• Section A : list of participants
• Section B : acknowledgments

First section...

Report (9,100 words) issued 13 Jul 2002